This really is a win-win situation. It’s good news for taxpayers, and good news for library users

Coun Nick Worth, executive member for libraries

GLL will take on the new model library service agreed in February, not the older model they originally expressed an interest in running.

It means that GLL will run the county’s 15 major libraries, along with online services and specialist support for those unable to reach their nearest library because of, for instance, disability, age or ill health.

GLL will also help support the library services delivered at around 30 community hubs that are being developed in partnership with local groups.

“We’ve worked hard to get the best possible deal, and are confident that GLL can both improve our library services and deliver significant savings.

“In fact, we predict that, once the reduction in our property costs is taken into account, this move will save us a further £500,000 or so.

“And that’s on top of the £1.9m we’ve already saved by introducing a new way of delivering services.

“At the same time, we still look set to end up with more libraries than we started with.

“So it’s good news for taxpayers, and good news for library users.”

GLL are set to begin delivering library services in April 2016.

* Established for over 20 years, GLL is a Charitable Social Enterprise employing over 7,000 staff and has a projected turnover of £200m. GLL currently oversees the management of over 150 public leisure centres across the UK and 27 libraries in the London boroughs of Greenwich and Wandsworth. It also manages three prison libraries and a youth offenders institute.